| SPOTLIGHT |
More than 50 people who attended Formby High School on Merseyside are suing Sefton Council, claiming that it failed to properly investigate sexual abuse allegations against a teacher at the council-run school.
The former pupils, represented by Andrew Grove & Co Solicitors, made allegations of historic sexual abuse against teacher Ian Farquharson, who committed suicide in 1992.
According to the solicitors, a complaint about his sexual abuse of children at Formby High School had been made to the headmaster the day before his death, and it is believed that he left the school premises within hours and drove to North Wales where he killed himself.
The accusers, who are now in their 40s and 50s, are claiming compensation from Sefton Council for the alleged abuse they endured from approximately 1975 up until his death in 1992.
The council has settled with 16 of the former pupils but solicitors claim it is refusing to resolve the cases of 50 more.
Solicitor Katherine Yates said: “Andrew Grove and Co currently act for 50 Claimants who allege abuse by Ian Farquharson, former Head of Lower School at Formby High School and whose claims have not settled. This is particularly disappointing for the Claimants as 16 other Claimants have had their claims settled.
"All the evidence suggests that Ian Farquharson was a prolific sexual abuser of young boys and it is time that this fact was recognised and all Claimants were dealt with reasonably. The composite evidence of 66 individual former pupils is persuasive. Farquharson evaded a criminal trial when he committed suicide within hours of being confronted with a complaint about his abusive behaviour towards a 12 year old boy.
"At the moment we are preparing for a trial which, although welcomed by some of the Claimants, will be traumatic for others. Fortunately a significant number of Claimants are prepared to go to Court and explain exactly what Farquharson did to them and the impact the abuse has had on them.
"Before we go to trial Sefton Borough Council is insisting on expert medical reports for each Claimant and we will comply with this requirement. However the impact on the Claimants cannot be understated. Firstly they have to go through the abuse with a medical expert and then relive it at a trial."
A spokesperson for Sefton Council said: “The council has great sympathy for these claimants and has engaged with each and every one to try and bring a resolution to their claims - 16 claims have been resolved already.
“The suggestion that the council has refused to accept liability because Mr Farquharson is dead is incorrect. However, to take matters forward it does need the claimants to provide more information about their claims and the impact it has had upon them. The court has ordered the claimants to provide this information to the court and the council within the next six months. The council continues to engage with the claimants and to seek to bring these matters to a conclusion.”
Lottie Winson
